McCudden's 'Green Tailed' Foe

In his auto.."Flying Fury: Five Years in the RFC", McCudden describes several encounters with a rather skillful pilot flying a 'kite' with a Green tail.

Just curious if anyone out there happens to know who that pilot might have been? Squadron? Stats?

[Droops]

Alex Revell has an appendix in his book on 56 squadron that identifies a prime suspect for 'Greentail.' When I get home I'll look that up and post.

VBR

John

this was probably one of the Jasta 5 boys: Mai, Rumey, or Konnecke. Curious as to what Droops will find out.

[Craig]

It's been a LONG time, as I lost the Profile on the Albatros D.V years ago, but I thought it was there that I read that they eventually got "Green Tail".

[Ron_F]

Beat you to it Droopsy. ;]

Revells book on 56th sq as well as Above the Trenches has Uffz Julius (or Justus) Kaiser as the possible 'Greentail' that he shot down on 18 Feb 18. von Stein is reported as the other victory that day.
Kaisers plane seemed to have similiar markings to the 'Greentail', so this is what McCudden may have saw.

However, in 'Airplane' magazine, there is a big spread with Martin Kleins Albatros Dv, it states hes was McCuddens victory that day. The Jasta Pilots has Klein KIA that same day near Beaurevoir, he WAS in Jasta 5.

Jasta 5 was in 56th area of operations during that time.

Back to who actually was the skilled 'Greentail', Revells book on 56th is stating the possibility that it was Vizfeldwebel Otto Konnecke of Jasta 5. Jasta 5 using white chevron on top wing and also a letter of the pilots last name.
He finished the war with 35 victories, and had victories in the low teens/single digits during Jasta 5 s operations near 56. Roughly speaking.

I believe Albatros pubs will be releasing a book on Jasta 5 near the end of this year. the text is only left to be written. should be interesting.

Hope i didnt leave anything out..

Ron F.

[Ron_F]

I found more in McCudden VC by Chris Cole.

It would seem that his conclusion is that it was Klein as well that fell that day, and had a K on his wing. He was new, according to von Hippel, and had no victories.

McCudden also is said to have reported the inexperience of the 'Greentail' he shot down that day.

And that the German records may have mistakenly put Beaurevoir instead of Bouvroy as place of crash. they are 25 and a couple miles from Vitry, resectively.

regards,
Ron

[Droops]

Steal my thunder, will ya Ronbo? *g*

I'll just add that Revell notes, in Appendix 16 (p. 437)of his book High in the Empty Blue, that the first date that 56 squadron ran across 'Greentail' was November 23, 1917. JG1 had JUST moved into the area, and didn't fly during the time that 56 squadron first encountered Greentail. The only other unit in the area was Jasta 5.

Kaiser and von Stein were with Jasta 35b.

Revell also mentions that Jasta 5's war diary has never been found. I'm curious, you mentioned a book forcoming about this Jasta. Has a diary been found in the intervening years?

GREAT picture of Rumey, Konnecke, and Mai on that page, btw.

Regards,

John

[Ron_F]

Hehehe, gotta be quick! ;]
Guess i forgot to mention they were from Jasta 35b.
Im leaning toward that it was Klein,and not Kaiser that Mac got that day. 3 sources to 2.

Yea, if you goto WW1 forum at 12 oclock high!, theres someone asking the question about the Jasta 5 book. An American is writing it, with pictures from the Ferko collection. Kinda hints at operational records, but guess will wait and see.

Ill ck with the lady at Wise Owl pubs, and see what she knows the next time i order.

I dont know if anyone here knows about it. thot about posting the question.

Ron

[Reinout]

I distinctly recall reading in Neal O'Connor's books about J5's war diary, so I'm guessing that the diary was copied during the interbellum, perhaps by that Turnuss character.

Kind regards,

Reinout

[Droops]

Excellent! It would be wonderful if someone could cross-reference Jasta 5's records with those of 56 squadron. I think that would be a real treat.

Regards,

John